NAHL Showcase kicks off on Wednesday

The fifth annual North American Hockey League (NAHL) Showcase Tournament will take place this week from Wednesday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.

All 18 NAHL teams will play four regular-season games at the Showcase, which has evolved into one of junior hockey's most prestigious and well-attended events of the entire season.

In addition, 30 of the top Midget teams from across the country will compete in the first leg of this year's NAHL Midget Showcase Series.

"This is really shaping up to be quite an event," said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. "To have this many top-caliber teams participating at one venue is creating quite a buzz around the entire hockey community and we couldn't be happier."

The U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 Team will once again be represented at the Showcase. Thirteen players from that club last year were picked in June's NHL Entry Draft, including James vanRiemsdyk, who was selected No. 2 overall.

"There's no other event like this in all of North America, from the sheer magnitude of teams to the number of future college and NHL stars that will be competing under one roof," said Frankenfeld. "It's awesome."

Tournament passes ($50/Adult; $20/Student) and daily passes ($15/Adult; $8/Student) will be available for purchase at the Super Rink during the Showcase.

All NAHL games will be broadcast live via the Internet through B2 Networks. Individual games can be viewed for $6 (US) by logging onto www.nahlshowcase.com/b2.cfm.

For more information on the NAHL Showcase and the NAHL Midget Showcase Series, visit www.nahlshowcase.com and www.nahlmidgetshowcase.com

ABOUT THE NAHL: The oldest and largest junior league in the United States, the North American Hockey League, a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior A league boasting 18 teams from across the country, including the esteemed USA Hockey National Team Development Program, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey.

Last season alone, over 100 players with NAHL ties made commitments to NCAA institutions to further their athletic and academic careers, while 16 others with NAHL experience were selected in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

What's more, three former NAHL players celebrated a Stanley Cup championship with the Anaheim Ducks, while 10 others won a NCAA Division I national title as members of Michigan State University.

ABOUT THE NAHL SHOWCASE TOURNAMENT: The NAHL Showcase Tournament has evolved into one of junior hockey's most prestigious and well-attended events of the entire season. For scouting purposes, the event is a can't-miss for every NCAA program and NHL team as they get their first look at some of the best and brightest hockey talent North America has to offer.

ABOUT THE NAHL MIDGET SHOWCASE SERIES: In its inaugural season, the NAHL Midget Showcase Series is hosted by the North American Hockey League, the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior A league in the country. This year's Midget Showcase Series is comprised of three tournaments which will be held in Minneapolis (September), St. Louis (December) and Detroit (February).